Steve McQueen, often dubbed the "King of Cool," was an iconic figure in Hollywood during the
1960s and 1970s, renowned for his magnetic screen presence and anti-hero roles.
While his performances in films like "Bullitt" and "The Great Escape" solidified his status
as a cinematic legend, behind the scenes, McQueen's fiery personality and desire to
dominate the screen led to bitter rivalries with some of his co-stars.
These off-screen dynamics, juxtaposed with his on-screen charisma, paint a multifaceted
picture of one of Hollywood's most enigmatic stars.
In this video, we’ll take a look at a few of McQueen’s costars who had less than flattering
things to say about the legendary star.
Join Facts Verse, as we present: He Utterly Hated Steve McQueen, Now We Know the Reason
Why!
Paul Newman and McQueen Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, two of Hollywood's
most iconic actors, shared a complex relationship marked by mutual respect, professional rivalry,
and a shared passion for racing.
Their interactions, both on and off the screen, have become legendary in the annals of Hollywood
history.
Both actors rose to prominence around the same time in the 1960s and quickly became
leading men in the industry.
Their similar career trajectories and on-screen personas often pitted them against each other,
both in the eyes of the public and the industry.
This professional rivalry was most evident when they were considered for roles in the
same films.
The most famous instance of their rivalry was during the pre-production of the classic
film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Originally, McQueen was offered the role of the Sundance Kid, with Newman playing Butch
Cassidy.
However, disputes arose over who would get top billing, leading McQueen to drop out of
the project.
The role of the Sundance Kid eventually went to Robert Redford, and the film became a massive
hit.
When they did star together in "The Towering Inferno," released in 1974, there were definitely
issues.
The movie was a star-studded disaster film that brought together two of Hollywood's biggest
icons: Newman and McQueen.
Given their professional rivalry and status in the industry, their collaboration on this
film was bound to be eventful.
While the movie was a commercial success, behind the scenes, the dynamics between the
two stars were intricate and, at times, tense.
One of the most significant issues was screen time.
Both actors were concerned about having equal screen time, reflecting their equal star status.
The script was reportedly adjusted multiple times to ensure that both Newman and McQueen
had the same number of lines.
The question of who would get top billing was another point of contention.
Given their previous rivalry over "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," this was a sensitive
issue.
The solution was innovative: in the film's promotional materials, McQueen's name appeared
first, but it was placed slightly to the left, while Newman's name, though appearing second,
was positioned slightly higher.
This diagonal billing ensured that depending on how one looked at it, either actor's name
could be seen as having precedence.
McQueen played a fire chief, while Newman portrayed an architect.
McQueen was reportedly unhappy that his character was introduced later in the film, even though
his role was crucial to the plot.
To address this, a scene was added at the beginning to introduce McQueen's character
earlier.
Despite these clashes, both actors maintained a level of professional decorum on set.
They recognized the importance of the film and the value each brought to their respective
roles.
While there were disagreements, there were also moments of collaboration and mutual respect.
In the end, "The Towering Inferno" stands as a testament to the professionalism of both
Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.
Despite their personal and professional rivalries, they delivered memorable performances in a
film that remains a classic in the disaster genre.
The behind-the-scenes dynamics between the two, however, add a fascinating layer to the
film's legacy.
Plus, beyond the silver screen, both actors had a deep passion for racing.
McQueen was an accomplished motorcycle and car racer, while Newman became deeply involved
in auto racing and even competed professionally.
Their shared love for the sport provided common ground, allowing them to connect on a personal
level beyond their Hollywood personas.
James Garner and McQueen James Garner and Steve McQueen, both prominent
figures in Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s, had a relationship marked by professional
rivalry and contrasting opinions.
While they shared screen space and had some similarities in their on-screen personas,
their off-screen dynamics were less harmonious.
Both Garner and McQueen were known for their roles in action-packed films and TV shows.
Garner's fame skyrocketed with the TV series "Maverick," while McQueen became a household
name with "Wanted: Dead or Alive."
Their similar career trajectories and roles often led to comparisons, and they were occasionally
considered for the same roles, fueling a sense of competition.
James Garner was quite vocal about his opinions on Steve McQueen.
He once famously remarked that McQueen was "not an actor," implying that McQueen relied
more on his screen presence and charisma than on genuine acting skills.
Garner's comment reflected a broader sentiment in some Hollywood circles that saw McQueen
as more of a movie star than a trained actor.
Beyond his views on McQueen's acting abilities, Garner also had personal reservations.
He felt that McQueen often copied his mannerisms and style, especially in the early stages
of McQueen's career.
This imitation, in Garner's eyes, was not flattery but rather a sign of McQueen's lack
of originality.
The sentiment contributed to Garner's lack of respect for McQueen, both as an actor and
as a professional.
Despite their rivalry and differences, Garner and McQueen shared screen space in the classic
war film "The Great Escape" (1963).
While the film was a success and both actors delivered memorable performances, behind the
scenes, their interactions were reportedly distant.
In the competitive world of Hollywood, rivalries like the one between James Garner and Steve
McQueen are not uncommon.
However, the candidness with which Garner expressed his views on McQueen makes their
dynamic particularly noteworthy.
While both actors left an indelible mark on the film industry, their off-screen relationship
remains a fascinating chapter in Hollywood history.
Yul Brynner and McQueen Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen's rivalry is
one of the most storied feuds in Hollywood history, especially during the filming of
the classic Western, "The Magnificent Seven" (1960).
Both actors, with strong personalities and significant screen presence, clashed repeatedly
on set, leading to a series of well-documented confrontations and power plays.
Brynner, already an established star with an Academy Award under his belt for "The King
and I," was the lead in "The Magnificent Seven."
McQueen, on the other hand, was on the cusp of major stardom.
Their roles in the film mirrored their off-screen dynamics, with Brynner as the leader of the
group and McQueen as his right-hand man.
Steve McQueen, known for his rebellious nature and desire to stand out, employed various
tactics to divert attention from Brynner and draw the camera to himself.
One of the most famous instances was when McQueen would toss a coin or rattle shotgun
shells during Brynner's lines.
These subtle actions were designed to distract the viewer and make McQueen's character more
dynamic and interesting in comparison to Brynner's.
Brynner was acutely aware of McQueen's attempts to upstage him and was not pleased.
He reportedly felt that McQueen was trying to undermine him and diminish his role as
the film's lead.
This led to tension on set, with Brynner demanding that certain scenes be reshot and even going
so far as to wear lifts in his shoes to appear taller than McQueen in shared scenes.
The animosity between the two actors didn't end with the film's wrap.
Their rivalry continued for years, with both actors often making disparaging remarks about
the other in interviews.
Brynner, in particular, was known to express his disdain for McQueen's behavior on set
and his attempts to overshadow him.
In the end, "The Magnificent Seven" became a classic, with both Brynner and McQueen delivering
memorable performances.
However, the behind-the-scenes drama between the two actors added a layer of intrigue to
the film's legacy, showcasing the lengths to which actors might go in the pursuit of
on-screen dominance.
Controversy Over His Estate Steve McQueen, despite his untimely death
in 1980, left behind a legacy that extended beyond his iconic film roles.
His name, image, and the rights associated with them became valuable commodities.
The management and control over these rights, posthumously, led to controversies and legal
battles involving his estate.
After McQueen's death, the rights to his likeness became a point of contention.
Over the years, various companies sought to use McQueen's image for advertising and promotional
purposes, given his enduring popularity and the "cool" image he projected.
McQueen's estate, primarily overseen by his children and heirs, has been protective of
his image and legacy.
They have, on multiple occasions, taken legal action against companies and individuals they
felt were exploiting McQueen's likeness without proper authorization.
For instance, in the early 2010s, McQueen's estate sued Ferrari for marketing a car as
"The McQueen" based on the actor's known love for racing and cars.
Beyond external legal battles, there have also been internal disputes among McQueen's
heirs regarding the management and distribution of his estate.
These disagreements have revolved around how best to preserve McQueen's legacy while also
capitalizing on the enduring interest in his life and career.
Amidst the controversies, the estate has also worked to preserve and celebrate McQueen's
legacy.
This includes supporting documentaries about his life, endorsing certain products that
align with his image, and maintaining control over the narrative surrounding his life and
career.
In essence, the controversies surrounding Steve McQueen's estate highlight the challenges
of managing the legacy of iconic figures after their passing.
Balancing commercial interests with the preservation of McQueen's image and legacy has been a complex
endeavor, leading to various disputes and legal battles over the years.
Now it’s time to head form you.
Did you know about these bitter rivalries Steve McQueen had with his costars?
Let us know in the comments section below!